Chapel Hill
DANCEHALL CULTURE BASH
BLENDWhen dancehall sped up the riddims of reggae in the early ’80s, a new, hybrid party music was born. Many artists still hold to that celebratory bounce, like Sista Kufunya and Durham-via-Atlanta toaster Cayenne The Lion King. With Jah Lock Zebulon and Deyansa. Doors open at 9 p.m. Chris Toenes
Raleigh
BUD LIGHT DOWNTOWN LIVE
MOORE SQUARE PARKThe Romantics’ early ’80s success took them to the brink of arena-size success before a 10-year label battle short-circuited that thought. Their surprisingly sharp 2003 comeback, 61/49, effectively reclaimed their power-pop roots. Nashville crooner Will Hoge’s anthemic American rock features a soulful undercurrent suggesting a country-tinged John Mayer. Locals on the bill include the tuba-indie of SNMNMNM and the classic rock crunch of The Bleeding Hearts. Also, New York’s Royal American. The free show begins at 2 p.m. Chris Parker
Cary
CARNIVAL OF THE ANIMALS
KOKA BOOTH AMPHITHEATREThis classic musical, a bona fide zoological fashion show, is a favorite among Camille Saint-Saëns’s fans. This N.C. Symphony performance will also include performances of Grofé’s Grand Canyon Suite and Smetana’s The Moldau. For more info, visit www.ncsymphony.org or call 733-2750. Megan Stein
